Country Profile
From The Report: Myanmar 2015
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The second-most-populous country in South-east Asia, and the 24th biggest in the world, Myanmar has a total of 135 different officially recognised ethnic groups. Approximately 70% of the population lives in rural areas, and urbanisation is increasing at a rate of around 2.9% per year. The chairing of the ASEAN summit in 2014 is a testament to how far “the Golden Land” has come in a relatively short time. However, significant hurdles remain; political, ethnic and religious tensions hinder national objectives that overstretch its outdated infrastructure and understaffed public sector. These bottlenecks, which stem from decades of economic sanctions, are now being addressed by an ambitious government, which, under the leadership of President U Thein Sein, has taken critical steps that have reintegrated Myanmar back into the international community.

This chapter contains interviews with President U Thein Sein and Lim Hng Kiang, Minister of Trade and Industry for Singapore, as well as viewpoints from Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, Chairperson, National League for Democracy; and US President Barack Obama.

Articles from this Chapter

Overview

The Last Frontier opens up to investors
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Over the past few years Myanmar has experienced a number of dramatic transitions that have restructured its economy, rapidly changing its unique landscape and gradually enriching the social welfare of its people. These changes, which were accelerated by the dissolution of the military junta, have placed modern-day Myanmar back on the international investment radar, and has seen the nation coin the phrase “the Last Frontier”. The chairing of the ASEAN summit in 2014 is testament to how far “the…

Interview

A Head Start: OBG talks to President U Thein Sein
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Interview: President U Thein Sein In what ways has chairing the ASEAN summit helped to accelerate Myanmar’s own development objectives and initiatives? U THEIN SEIN: The chairing of the ASEAN summit was a major stepping stone for Myanmar. It has given decision makers, both in the government and the private sector, the chance to discuss challenges and opportunities within the ASEAN region, as well as issues specific to Myanmar. Such increased dialogue has enabled us to work on a collaborative…

Overview

Election year 2015 will set the pace for further reform measures
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With late 2015 seeing direct elections scheduled for parliament and indirect balloting for president, Myanmar is currently passing through a crucial period of political debate, against the background of an era that was marked by rapid economic growth and international openness. These events come just over a decade since the government began moving on its “Roadmap to Democracy”, and three years since the country’s most prominent human rights activist, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, took her seat in…

Viewpoint

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, Chairperson, National League for Democracy (NLD), on gender equity and democratisation
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We all want a peaceful, united, and progressive society, but the method of achieving this goal is what we need to agree on. Human beings have different values, ideas and aspirations; we cannot all think in the same way. But our diversity is our strength, and I think our women have a lot to contribute in ensuring that diversity does in fact remain a strength. We have to strengthen ourselves by knowing what the real needs of our society are. It is not just a question of focusing on the positive. We…

Viewpoint

Barack Obama, US President, on sharing knowledge for a prosperous and progressive South-east Asia
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Two years ago, I was the first American president to visit this country, and I was deeply moved by the generous hospitality that greeted us here. I was inspired by the incredible diversity and culture, and the various religious sites from different faiths and communities. I was inspired again, when I had the opportunity to visit the Secretariat – the birthplace of modern Burma; the blueprint for democracy; a home to Myanmar, Chinese, Indians, Buddhists, Muslims, Hindus, and Christians who lived…

Analysis

All in a year’s work: Chairing ASEAN has boosted the country’s diplomatic position
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Myanmar assumed the chairmanship of ASEAN in 2014, just three years after the government embarked on an ambitious programme of political and economic reforms that have opened the door to the international community after five decades of international isolation. President U Thein Sein, a former general who now heads a quasi-civilian government, told Myanmar’s ASEAN neighbours that it would use its leadership year to ensure the organisation accelerates its efforts to meet the deadline for the end…

Interview

Lim Hng Kiang, Minister for Trade and Industry of Singapore: Interview
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Interview: Lim Hng Kiang How would you assess Myanmar’s economic and political reforms thus far? LIM HNG KIANG: We have seen progress made by the Myanmar government to boost investment and economic activities. President Thein Sein signed into effect a new Foreign Investment Law (FIL) in November 2012 to replace the previous FIL, which was enacted in 1988. The FIL, which allows overseas firms to fully own ventures and offers tax breaks and longer land leases, was subsequently enhanced to further…